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The differences between maintenance machinists and numerical control operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a maintenance machinist, becoming a numerical control operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a maintenance machinist has an average salary of $52,077, which is higher than the $38,280 average annual salary of a numerical control operator.
The top three skills for a maintenance machinist include CNC, grinders and hand tools. The most important skills for a numerical control operator are calipers, micrometers, and math.
A Maintenance Machinist is responsible for implementing and maintaining industrial machinery. Their primary duties include investigating and diagnosing equipment failures and performing corrective actions.
A numerical control operator is responsible for monitoring machinery and managing computer-generated equipment to produce tools and components from various mechanical resources. Numerical control operators must have extensive knowledge with the technology and mechanical industry to perform basic troubleshooting and detect malfunctions during operations. A numerical control operator duties' also include inspecting equipment setup and finished products, ensuring high-quality parts, reviewing blueprints, following client's specifications for making adjustments, and adhering to the safety guidelines and procedures required by the business.
Maintenance machinists and numerical control operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Maintenance Machinist | Numerical Control Operator | |
| Average salary | $52,077 | $38,280 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $74,000 | Between $29,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kent, WA | Tualatin, OR |
| Highest paying state | Washington | West Virginia |
| Best paying company | City of Seattle | BWX Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a maintenance machinist and a numerical control operator in terms of educational background:
| Maintenance Machinist | Numerical Control Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between maintenance machinists' and numerical control operators' demographics:
| Maintenance Machinist | Numerical Control Operator | |
| Average age | 48 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.0% Female, 6.0% | Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 70.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 6% |